Chapter 3

Gary could not help but admire the architecture. He had not said anything to his uncle about coming but decided to check out the latest Moretti’s effort. The plaza was redolent of a little village he was familiar with in Tuscany, with similar quaint little store front shops. And it was large.

There was a familiar food store, an antique shop, a hair, and nail salon, two fast food enterprises, a gym and a dental office on one side. On the other, a medical clinic took up the rest of the space. The parking lot was large enough to accommodate all the patrons.

He was making his way back to his vehicle when he noticed it and wondered why he had missed the place before. It was a coffee shop.

Normally, he would have gone on his way, but there was something about the place that caught his attention. There was a huge pumpkin at one corner of the glass exterior and several smaller ones surrounding it. ‘Coffee and books.”

He murmured in amusement. “This ought to be good.” Without thinking about it, he pulled the door open and stepped into the past. Whoever designed the place had gone for the Victorian era, with old-fashioned antique furnishings decorating the space.

All along the wall on his left, were stacks of books, mostly fiction with a leaning towards romance. A derisive smile touched his face as he made his way forward past a comfortable sofa and a grouping of chairs and tables with wrought iron etchings. It was almost afternoon, and he was the only one present.

He was about to touch the old-fashioned bell on the counter when a musical voice sounded to his left.

“No need for that.”

He had been so intent on studying the décor, he had failed to see the woman lounging on a comfortable sofa. Turning only his head, he watched as she rose gracefully and felt the slow, one-two punch inside his stomach.

He was accustomed to beautiful women, hell, he had been around beautiful women his entire life. Tuscany had its fair share, and he had dated quite a few.

This one was exquisite and exotic at the same time. She was willowy, slender without being a bag of bones. Her heart shaped face was intriguing, with its blend of large dark brown eyes, tapered brows, cocoa brown complexion, and a mouth – Good Christ!

The unadorned lips were curved and was so alluring, he had to suck in a breath, The lust flowed freely straight to his loins and settled there. For the first time in his life, he was speechless.

“I had my headphones on and was reading at the same time. I am sorry. Welcome to Coffee and Books. How may I help you?”

“Er…” He had to clear his throat and felt like an awkward teenager with his first crush. “I was just exploring…”

“And you wanted to check out if it was as the name says.” Her smile was dazzling, white teeth against rosy lips. Her perfume was subtle and exotic like her and he felt the brush of her sarong style dress as she brushed past him to walk the length of the counter to go to the cash register.

“What do you think?”

“About what?” He asked foolishly, still finding it difficult to get his bearings.

“The shop?” Chocolate brown eyes appeared to be laughing at him.

“Oh.” Needing time to gather his composure, he pretended to look around. “Very cozy. Makes one wants to settle in and relax.”

She looked pleased with the comparison. “What can I get you.”

He scanned the displayed menu and decided on the pumpkin spice latte. Usually he drank straight black coffee, but he did not want to leave. “And a cranberry muffin.”

“Very good choices. Feel free to look around, I have to prepare the latte.”

“Of course.” He stood rooted to the spot and watched as she turned towards the machine. Her hair was a riot of dark brown curls on top of her head in a careless bun.

Forcing himself to move from his position, he wandered around staring at titles with disinterest. He was so acutely aware of her; he could not bear it. The scent of coffee permeated the air, but all he could think of was the smell, it was her perfume. This was getting ridiculous.

“Would you like it to go?”

“Pardon?” He turned to see her looking at him and felt his knees going to liquid.

“To go or do you intend to sit and have the meal? We have some other titles if you are interested. Around the back.”

“Oh, I am having it here.” He walked over to the counter and took his card out. His surname was not on it, because he had started using his mother’s maiden name when he went to Italy.

He handed her the card and watched as she did the transaction. Her fingers were long and elegant as they flew over the keys. “Here we go.” She gave the card back to him and handed him his coffee and a plate with the muffin. “I warmed it up for you.”

“Thanks.”

Taking the meal with him to the nearest table, he sat down.

“How long have you been in business?”

“Since the place opened.”

“About a year?”

She nodded as she set about cleaning the counter.

“What did you do before?”

“I was in the corporate world. An admin.”

“And you decided to leave and do this…” He gestured towards the shelves. “Why?”

She finished the counter and dumped the rag into a pail at her feet. “How’s the latte?”

It was not exactly his favorite, but he would have said anything to please her. “Good.”

“Just good?” Her winged eyebrows lifted.

“Great.” He mumbled, taking another sip and doing his best not to grimace. “Why did you leave?”

She came around the counter and took up her position on the sofa. He almost swallowed the muffin when she curled her feet under her. “I left because I hated the corporate world, the rat race, the petty backbiting among the staff to fight for position and a bigger salary.

My mother loves coffee and my dad…” She looked away from him and he felt his heart twisting at the profound look of sadness on her exquisite face.

“Well, he was a coffee drinker. We all are. Mom is a retired schoolteacher and when I mentioned that it would be an innovative idea to open this shop, she went with it. We pooled our savings and here we are.”

“Your dad? He is dead?”

“Yes,” she murmured huskily.

He wanted to ask how he died, but did not want to cause her further sadness.

“The books?”

“What?”

“How did the books come into the equation?”

She smiled and literally took his breath away. “I love reading and I figured I would combine my two favorite things.”

“Coffee and books.”

“How is business?”

“Very good.” She laughed as he looked around the empty store. “This is the low time. We have our best hours in the morning and late afternoon.”

“I see.” His latte was almost finished as well as his muffin. He was going to order another. He had come here trying to get a feel of the place his father’s company had built and never expected anything like this. “It’s nice.”

“Why, thank you.” That smile again. “I haven’t seen you around here before.”

“I am new to the area. I lived several miles away before I…, before I left.”

“Left?” She had a very endearing tilt to her head that made him want to slide onto the sofa and pull her into his arms. The collar of her dress sagged open slightly to reveal a swell of breasts. Desire, such as he had never known before, flooded his entire body.

“I…, er…, I have been living in Italy.”

“Italy, huh? Fascinating.” She had a way of looking at him as if he was the most important person in the world and it made him feel powerful and needed. “With family?”

“My mother’s side. She was Italian.”

“Was?”

“She died.”

“I am so sorry.”

He nodded. “Is there any chance of getting a second cup?”

Her eyes glimmered. “What do you think?” She rose gracefully and glided over to take the empties away.

“Same?”

“How about a plain black coffee this time?”

Her laughter tinkled out as she went behind the counter. “I had you pegged from the moment I saw you.” Walking over to the coffee pot, she selected a cup and poured it in.

“How?”

“A black coffee kind of guy. Why didn’t you order it in the first place?”

He sent her a sheepish smile. Pushing back his chair, he moved towards the counter to take the beverage.

“I did not want to disappoint you.”

She gave him a curious look. “How would you do that? Cupcake?”

“Pardon?” He felt a jolt and for a second he had no idea what she was talking about.

“Another cupcake?”

“Oh. Yes, how about the pumpkin one this time?”

“How would you disappoint me?” She handed him the muffin on another plate.

“You sounded so enthusiastic about me trying the beverage.”

“You did not like it.”

“I tolerated it. I suppose I would have to get used to it. By the way, my name is Gary Russo.”

“Mine is Sadie Ellicott.”

“Very nice to meet you,” He stood there staring at her for a few seconds before turning away and going back to his seat. He could look at her all day long and wanted to ask her out.

“Here’s your card.”

He had been so absorbed in his thoughts; he had not heard her come from around the counter.

“Thank you. I like the name, Sadie.”

“Thanks.” She smiled at him, and he felt the warmth deep inside his chest.

He was about to say something, when the bell tinkled, indicating that customers were coming in. The frustration at being interrupted had to be forcefully tamped down.

Sipping the coffee slowly, he watched as she charmed the two men who came in and glowered as they openly flirted with her. He wanted to smash the younger guy’s face, for touching her hand.

His frustration mounted when the shop started filling up with more customers and he realized that his coffee was finished and so was his muffin. And he was taking up space that was needed for other patrons. Besides, two women had taken the other table and made themselves comfortable.

One had even grabbed a book from the shelf and was already buried in the pages. The intimacy was finished. He would not get a chance to speak with her again. Pushing back his chair, he took the plate with him to the counter and handed it to her.

“Thanks.” Giving him a distracted smile, she continued to tally up the sale. He lingered for a minute, but then more people started coming and he had no choice but to leave. Grabbing a business card from the holder, he waved goodbye and strolled out. It was the most difficult thing he had ever had to do.

Getting into his vehicle, he sat behind the wheel and stared at the simple white card with the name of the shop and the numbers. None of which was her personal phone number, he had no doubt. Should he wait until the place was free? The shop was open until late, he could come back.

And let on that he was not there for the coffee and muffins? How would she feel about that? And was she involved with someone? He hadn’t seen a ring on her slender finger, but she could be heavily involved. A woman like that would not be single. If she was, what then?

And why was he so interested in a woman he had only just met? He wasn’t going to be here for long, was he? He was going back to Italy. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and an image of her played in his mind. She was exquisite and he wanted to taste her.

“Good God.” He groaned. “Get a damn grip.”

But he just knew without a doubt that he was never going to be the same again.

*****

“What brings you to my bedside?”

“You are not exactly in bed, are you?” Graham walked forward to stand next to his brother, Grant, as he stood by the window.

“You are looking much better.”

Grant nodded, securing the silk lapels of his robe around his thin chest. He was feeling the cold clear through his bones. “The quacks have me on a new treatment. Guaranteed to prolong the agony.” His smile was humorless. “Where is the boy?”

“In case you have not noticed, he is no longer a boy.”

“Yeah.” The older man cackled, a shrewd expression on his face. “You always wished he was your son.”

“He is. You might have been the one to donate the sperm, but Gary is as much mine as yours or even more so. You never appreciated what you had.”

“And you envied me for it!” He shot back.

“It’s difficult to envy a man who has always been so unhappy.” Graham’s tone was cool and detached. He had spent years trying to get his father’s and brothers’ approval without success. He was not into their schemes, so he had not fit in. It wasn’t until years later, he realized it did not matter.

His brother turned away from his contemplation of the outside to face him, a curious expression on his face. “Your influence on him was strong.”

“If you are referring to my nephew, then I am happy for it. He turned out to be a fine young man with a strong moral fiber.”

“Unlike his old man.”

“You said it.” Moving away from him, Graham went to the other side of the bedroom where activities of the gardeners and his crew could be plainly seen.

“I suppose I have him to thank for what’s going on in my yard.” Grant remarked gruffly, his attention drawn to the man he had fired not too long ago. “He went over my head.”

“Well, you did tell him he is in charge.”

“I am not dead yet.”

Graham shot him a retired look. “Why don’t you just admit that you are proud of him? Would it kill you to do so?”

“It just might.” The cackle again. “He has always been one to do his own thing, even when he was a boy,” He flicked a glance at his brother. “And you and his mother encouraged him. You formed quite a clique.”

“Someone had to be there for him.”

The silence following that statement was ponderous as the two brothers stared at each other, issuing a challenge. Grant was the first to back down. Turning away from the window, he walked slowly towards the bed and climbed in.

“The treatment leaves me tired and out of sorts.” Resting his head against the pillows, he closed his eyes. “I am trying, Graham.” He said quietly. “I know I cannot make up for the pain I caused, but hell, I am trying.”

Graham walked over to sit on the chair next to the bed. “It is commendable that you are, and I am doing my best to convince Gary that he needs to stay. He was at the office for a couple of days and seems to be interested in the plans we have for the museum and hospital.”

“Good.” A spark of interest appeared in the gray eyes. “I do love him, you know. And in my own way, I loved his mother.”

“I suppose you did.” Hesitating briefly, Graham touched the thin hand slightly. “Regardless of our differences, I am here for you.”

“I know.”

They both lapsed into a comfortable silence, each involved in his own memories.

*****

“Hi.”

“Hi.” Gary felt his heart hammering as he approached the counter. Her hair was brushed back from her face and secured in one thick braid that rested on her left breast, covered by a bright red sweater that brought attention to her generous bosom.

Deliberately keeping his eyes away from that area of her anatomy, he concentrated on the exquisite face. “I am back.”

“So, I see.”

He somehow got the impression that she was laughing at him, and he couldn’t blame her. He sounded like a buffoon.

“What can I get you?”

He had stood out in the parking lot, staring at the shop for so long that a few drivers had started to show curious looks. But he had waited until the customers inside had left. “The usual.”

“Which would be black coffee and? What kind of muffin?”

He spared a cursory glance at the display case and picked one. “Uhm, blueberry.”

“To stay or to go?”

“To stay.”

“Coming right up. What do you read?”

“Pardon?”

She nodded to the bookshelves. “You are not into romance, that much I realize. So, what’s your genre?”

“Action, news, sports, anything to do with history.”

“Around the corner. You just might see something you like. I have to heat this up.” She held up the muffin before turning towards the microwave.

Not wanting to appear awkward, he went around the corner and started browsing. Choosing a John Grisham, which he was certain he already owned, he went back to the table just as she brought his meal.

“I see you found something.”

“I am a fan.” He also did not tell her he had met the author. “Why don’t you join me?”

“I…”

“I am sure you are due for a break.”

“Why not?” Moving back around the counter, she prepared an iced latte and brought it to the table. He was immensely happy that the table was small enough to have their knees brushing.

“So, what have you been up to sine I saw you last?”

“You mean since you saw me yesterday?” Her amusement was evident and had him laughing ruefully.

“Precisely what I meant. Spill.”

“Well, after you left, it was very busy until closing.”

“You close the place at eight.”

She nodded, taking a long sip of her iced latte and bringing his attention to her lips. She had on a kind of shimmery raspberry colored lip gloss that highlighted the shape of her mouth and sent heat flooding through his body. This was getting ridiculous!

Clearing his throat, he took a hasty sip of his coffee and almost singed his tongue. Hoping she did not notice, he put the cup down and reached for his muffin.

“Is it safe here?” He asked abruptly, angry with himself and her for the strength of his emotions.

“Very. We have guards patrolling the premises from six until I leave, and this is a very quiet neighborhood. What do you do?”

“Pardon?”

“Your vocation. What field are you in?”

His mind spun as he wondered what he could say without telling an outright lie.

Corporate.” He settled on that and hoped she would leave it there.

“That’s very vague. Are you an accountant? Do you own your own business? What?”

He took another sip of coffee to gather his thoughts. “I work for a company and am in management. As I told you, I have just returned from living in Italy.”

She nodded. “Why did you come back?”

“My dad is ill.”

“Oh?” She looked at him and he saw the sympathetic look on her lovely face. “That’s…, I am so sorry to hear. It’s good that you returned.”

He was beginning to think so.

“Is it serious?”

He did not want to talk about his old man but could not very well say so. “Yes.”

He almost shot out of his seat when she laid a hand over his. The heat from her skin soaked through his skin and he felt his breath backing up inside his throat.

“You must be so devastated. I lost my dad, but I still have my mom.”

He wanted to drag her across the table and devour her mouth. For a few seconds he could not recall what the discussion was about.

“Gary?”

“Yes?” Dragging his eyes from her mouth, he concentrated fiercely on her eyes.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course. It’s a touchy subject.” She still had her hand over his and he felt the heat spreading. Oh Christ, he wanted her so much, he could taste it. Just then the bell tinkled, and she looked up at the door, at the same time, pushing her chair back and standing up to greet the new customer.

He used the time to take several deep breaths as he fought the desire raging war inside his body. He could not stay. He was going to have to leave or end up disgracing himself. Finishing the coffee, he folded the rest of the cupcake into the napkin and brought the plate to her. By now, the place was filling up, giving him a chance to escape.